>> every weekend book tv offers programming focused on nonfiction authors and books. keep watching for more here on teewun and watch any of our past programs online. >> well, well saturday january 24 is being called national redefined a playgroup him. what is? >> it is a day in january were all across america we are inviting readers to commit to spend the afternoon reading any book that they like, and you can do it at home or in any of the many venues participating across the country which include libraries and bookstores in schools. >> wire you promoting this?

>> well, it is wonderful, large, and large and competent question. essentially our hope is to find different ways to foster a culture of reading in america and remind people of what the experience is like to sit and dedicate a nice, long swath of time to reading. we hear feedback all the time that people read books less because they feel they don't have time but there is pleasure a pleasure that comes from really getting lost in the world of a book that is different than if you are checking your phone every few minutes or on the go. we we wanted people to remember that experience and get a little off him. >> you are actually setting a time frame for this. >> that is exactly right. we agreed four hours was longer than any of us

normally spend, but not so onerous that it we will be impossible for people with kids were jobs are other things going on. four was the agreed-upon time it seemed a reasonable amount to ask everyone to try to set aside and do. >> are there groups that are participating in this? >> yes. we have a a lot of different groups, book clubs to local libraries and schools. there is actually a list state by state of different venues that are participating. you can go their to see if a place near you is already participating and then go just join. >> if someone wants to do this at home how can they stay in contact with the larger group? >> absolutely. we're using the hashtag time to read reminding people about why we make time to read. you can search on any of your different platforms.

you will see people participating and you can share yourself. and participate in the larger virtual community that way. >> there is a money aspect as well. >> there is. we is. we -- similar to help people do walkathon to run a marathon for charity we are inviting people if you want to consider raising money for the national book foundation most famous for the national book awards that they give out every fall in fiction and nonfiction and poetry, but they also do incredible work around the country bringing everything from literacy training, tutoring, home libraries authors to speak to kids communities that

are not necessarily getting diverse, rich programming and books. we are filling that gap. the gap. the money raised will go to help support their ongoing efforts. >> how does one contribute? >> great question. you can find the link to 1st giving. a platform a platform that many people are probably already familiar with similar to what is used for marathons and walkathon's and you can donate any amount or set up your own fundraising page. under the event called national redefined a. >> is there their a target for how much you want to raise? >> this is our 1st year trying to do this. i i am thrilled that their are $15,000 raise already. i am pleased to see the diversity of people donating and it is the kind of thing were smaller amounts

in overall getting us to a really nice number. >> you are some of the corporate sponsors? >> a great group that came together. they will be having a reading party in san francisco where their headquarters is and then mashable one of the leading tech websites and has just an incredible monthly book club and they are having a book party here in new york. from coast to coast my sponsors. >> don't forget your own boss, penguin random house. [laughter] >> thank you. i would be in trouble for that one. yes penguin random house, we have been supporting the effort as well.

a number a number of our authors on board. lovely videos that we just aren't releasing yesterday. talking about why books are important and why they make time to read. they are also on the website and can be found on a social media channels. >> making time to read is important because. >> if you don't make time to read your brain will rot. >> a book can educate entertain, enlightened. >> there is nothing like a book to make you see the world in a knew way. >> some of the impact books of that on my life i would say this saved my life. >> i have never been without a book. >> a book does not require a password. >> re: when i should be looking at television.